STATE COLLEGE, Pa.-As debuts go, it could have been much worse. But the supporting cast around first-time starter Jimmy Clausen was several steps below inadequate in Notre Dame's 31-10 loss to Penn State Saturday night.

And there's no relief in sight. Wait! Lowly Michigan is next.

That's about the only solace the Irish can take out of their first 0-2 start since 2001 when Bob Davie's last Notre Dame squad lost its first three.